Debutant Kruse seals win for Roar

Inspired selections from coach Frank Farina and a goal on debut by birthday boy Robbie Kruse have combined to earn Queensland Roar a much needed 2-1 win over the Wellington Phoenix.

With his team struggling all Season to convert chances into goals, Farina went into the A-League clash with a revamped forward line, with the pairing Of Kruse and livewire 18-year-old Michael Zullo on the wings and rangy Brazilian Reinaldo playing a lone role in the centre.

The change brought immediate results, with Zullo netting a screamer just four minutes into play.

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A Roar throw-in deflected awkwardly off the Phoenix defence for the young striker, but he steadied to half-volley the ball over the head of Phoenix keeper Glen Moss and into the goal, thanks to a kind deflection off the crossbar.

Zullo, the Australian under-17s representative again played a key role in the home team's second goal, which came during first half stoppage time.

He put a superb cross from the left into the box to find an unmarked Kruse, who capped off his 19th birthday in perfect fashion, scoring on debut.

Aside from the goal Kruse was impressive in his first appearance, showing some nice touches to get the better of his defensive opponents.

After copping a knock to the hip the Brisbane product was substituted early in the second half, but his partner in crime Zullo continued to wreak havoc with the Phoenix defence, setting up a string of opportunities before himself going off after struggling with cramps.

The Phoenix never looked likely after conceding the early goal, and were dogged by injuries in the first half.

Already without striker Daniel due to suspension, the visitors lost fellow Brazilian Felipe to a hamstring injury in the 41st minute, and midfielder Steven O'Dor was substituted at halftime after sustaining what appeared to be a broken nose thanks to a confrontation with Reinaldo.

Their first scoring chance came in the 59th minute on the counter attack when Michael Ferrante's shot on goal was stopped by Roar keeper Liam Reddy.

Wellington's consolation goal came in the dieing seconds when Shane Smeltz ended a scrappy tussle in the box by slipping a shot past Reddy, thanks to a deflection off Roar defender Sasa Ognenovski.

The win for Queensland was their first at home since December last year, and was witnessed by a disappointing crowd of just under 12,500.